Pumping Up Project-Based Learning
There are a lot of different people who define project-based learning, and so there ends up being a lot of different thoughts about what PBL actually entails.
This isn’t a huge surprise, when considering that there are a lot of different ways of approaching real-world tasks. That is, after all, what PBL is all about—making learning purposeful and real, not theoretical and abstract.
Elements of Project-Based Learning
· Meaningful, Significant Subject Matter
Is the learning valuable? How is it relevant? How is it realistic?
· Driving Question
Are the expectations for investigation clear? What is the purpose of the inquiry?
· Desire to Discover
What motivates a student to want to investigate this question?
· Comprehensive Investigation
What skills will students use to plan and produce? Where will they seek information? How will they be assisted?
· Voice and Choice to Develop 21st Century Competencies
To what extent are students able to drive their own discovery? What resources and tools will they utilize? What 21st century skills will they practice during their learning?
· Critique and Revision
How will students receive formative assessment throughout the project? How are they able to self-assess and revise their through the course of the project?
· Exhibition and Evaluation
What is the purpose of the learning? How will students share their project with an authentic audience? How will that audience provide feedback?
Is the learning valuable? How is it relevant? How is it realistic?
· Driving Question
Are the expectations for investigation clear? What is the purpose of the inquiry?
· Desire to Discover
What motivates a student to want to investigate this question?
· Comprehensive Investigation
What skills will students use to plan and produce? Where will they seek information? How will they be assisted?
· Voice and Choice to Develop 21st Century Competencies
To what extent are students able to drive their own discovery? What resources and tools will they utilize? What 21st century skills will they practice during their learning?
· Critique and Revision
How will students receive formative assessment throughout the project? How are they able to self-assess and revise their through the course of the project?
· Exhibition and Evaluation
What is the purpose of the learning? How will students share their project with an authentic audience? How will that audience provide feedback?
Doing Projects vs. Project Based Learning vs. Problem-Based Learning
Ways to Approach PBL
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